Swimming Class

We started a swimming class this week with our friends Hudson (age 1) & Elena (age 5 months). We sing fun songs & practice swim strokes, floating, getting to the wall, jumping in (Will's favorite) & holding a breath underwater. Today, when I dipped Will under, I let go & he swam to me several times! He usually came up looking shocked but happy! We're having so much fun & Will takes great naps afterwards (3 1/2 hours on Monday!) I LOVE swimming class! Stay posted for lots of swimming pictures this summer!

I think swimming may be a great sport for Will - something he can do with his body & no extra equipment. It's very popular here in Midland with kids & teenagers- we have an incredible aquatic center. Plus, it is a great lifelong sport!

After the first day of class. All 3 kids were pretty wiped out!

After class today. We stayed awhile after class with Hudson to play with toys & practice swimming to Mommy & jumping in. So fun!

Yesterday, our speech therapist had Will begin eating table foods so we could work on chewing. She suggested I begin with tator tots & cheetos (for softness). However, I'd like to keep him away from junk food for as long as possible so we began with carrots, sweet potato puffs & green beans. Today we tried banana slices & cheerios. I think we'll do avocado tomorrow. He did great although he prefers a clean tray & everything goes to the floor rather than his mouth when I let him self feed. His physical therapist says this is an important developmental skill (throwing things to the floor)- it's an annoying one for sure! Oh well- we'll just call it therapy! :)

Also, Will has accomplished two things we've been working on in therapy! Today, during occupational therapy, he pulled himself to a sit from his tummy... all by himself! His therapist & I cheered & clapped! We've worked very hard on this skill for about a month! Then, last night & again during therapy today, he rolled from back to tummy without using a toy for resistance. He just did it over & over & over again! We've been working on this for several months! His therapist also predicted he'll be crawling within the next several weeks. He can do it with support already & without support, he can get into the position all by himself & lunge forward. Not sure if I'm ready for mobility! (I know my house isn't!)

It's so incredibly rewarding to see him accomplish things that are extra challenging when you are missing limbs. And we've worked so hard- Way to Go Will!!!